Side mounted air bag module

Abstract

An air bag module for a vehicle includes an inflator for discharging inflator gas and an air bat; for inflation by the discharging inflator gas. The air bag has a fixed edge adapted to be fixedly connected to the vehicle and also has a sliding edge adapted to be slidably connected to the vehicle. Upon air bag deployment, the sliding edge of the air bag slides along the vehicle and extends the air bag to the inflated condition. The air bag module preferably includes a conduit having a first portion in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving the discharging inflator gas therein. The conduit also includes a second portion spaced apart from the inflator and having an opening in fluid communication with the air bag for directing inflator gas into the air bag. The second portion of the conduit directs the discharging inflator gas such that the sliding edge of the air bag is forced to the extended condition. Advantageously, the conduit allows the inflator to be spaced apart from the air bag for easier packaging of the air bag module in the vehicle. Further packaging advantages are preferably gained by slidably connecting the sliding edge of the air bag to the same conduit which transmits the inflator gas from the inflator to the air bag.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An air bag module for a vehicle comprising: an inflator for discharging inflator gas;   an air bag for inflation by the discharging inflator gas, the air bag having a sliding edge, the sliding edge of the air bag having a folded condition prior to air bag inflation and an extended condition upon air bag inflation;   a conduit having a first portion in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving discharging inflator gas therein and a second portion spaced apart from the inflator and having an opening in fluid communication with the air bag for directing discharging inflator gas into the air bag; and   the sliding edge of the air bag being slidably connected to the conduit whereby upon air bag deployment, the sliding edge of the air bag slides along the conduit to the extended condition.   
     
     
       2. The air bag module of claim 1 wherein the sliding edge of the air bag includes a hem portion slidably disposed around the conduit. 
     
     
       3. An air bag module for a vehicle comprising: an inflator for discharging inflator gas;   an elongated conduit having a first portion connected to the inflator and in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving the discharging inflator gas therein, and a second portion spaced apart from the inflator and having an opening for discharging inflator gas out through the conduit; and   an air bag for inflation by the discharging inflator gas, the air bag having a sliding edge slidably connected to the conduit between the first portion and the second portion, the sliding edge being folded prior to air bag inflation and being fully extended when the air bag is inflated;   whereby upon air bag deployment, the second portion of the conduit directs the discharging inflator gas such that the sliding edge of the air bag is forced to slide along the conduit between the first portion and the second portion to the fully extended condition.   
     
     
       4. The air bag module of claim 3 wherein the air bag includes a fixed edge adapted to be fixedly connected to the vehicle and wherein the fixed edge of the air bag is fully extended prior to air bag inflation. 
     
     
       5. The air bag module of claim 4 wherein the air bag including the sliding edge is folded substantially adjacent the fixed edge of the air bag prior to air inflation. 
     
     
       6. The air bag module of claim 3 wherein the conduit is a hollow tube. 
     
     
       7. An air bag module for mounting to a side structure in a vehicle, the air bag module comprising: an inflator adapted to be mounted on the side structure and for discharging inflator gas;   an elongated conduit having a first portion connected to the inflator and in fluid communication therewith for receiving the discharging inflator gas therein, and a second portion spaced apart from the inflator and having an opening for discharging inflator gas out through the conduit; and   an elongated bracket adapted to be mounted to the side structure and extending at an angle relative the conduit; and   an air bag having a deflated condition and an inflated condition and being in fluid communication with the second portion of the conduit for receiving inflator gas, the air bag having an inboard face and an opposite outboard face and a periphery between the inboard and outboard faces, the periphery of the air bag having a fixed edge fixedly connected to the bracket when the air bag is in the deflated and inflated conditions, the periphery of the air bag having a sliding edge slidably connected to the conduit, the sliding edge being folded when the air bag is in the deflated condition and being fully extended when the air bag is in the inflated condition;   whereby upon air bag deployment, the second portion of the conduit directs the discharging inflator gas such that the sliding edge of the air bag is forced to slide along the conduit to the fully extended condition.   
     
     
       8. The air bag module of claim 7 wherein the conduit has an end portion adjacent the second portion and wherein the end portion is connected to the bracket. 
     
     
       9. The air bag module of claim 7 wherein the fixed edge and the sliding edge are substantially perpendicular to each other when the air bag is in the inflated condition. 
     
     
       10. The air bag module of claim 7 wherein the air bag module further includes a housing for housing the air bag, the housing being attached to the bracket, and wherein the sliding edge of the air bag has a looped hem portion and the housing has an elongated slot adjacent the conduit through which the hem portion of the air bag extends for sliding attachment to the conduit. 
     
     
       11. The air bag module of claim 7 wherein the fixed edge of the air bag is fully extended prior to air bag inflation. 
     
     
       12. The air bag module of claim 7 wherein the air bag is folded substantially adjacent the fixed edge of the air bag when the air bag is in the deflated condition.